Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

FWP Apprentice Hunter Program Information

The Apprentice Hunter Program allows anyone 10 or older to hunt for up to two years without completing a hunter education course. Certain restrictions apply, and anyone certified as an Apprentice must be accompanied by a certified Mentor.

The program was enacted by the 2015 state Legislature, and it originally created the opportunity for youth 10-17 years of age to hunt without completing hunter education. The 2017 Legislature amended the law to increase the age limit to anyone 10 or older and prohibited an apprentice hunter from obtaining a black bear, mountain lion or wolf license.

An apprentice MUST:

• be 10 years of age or older at the time of license purchase.

• have appropriate current Montana hunting license(s) for the species being hunted; the licenses MUST show that he/she is Apprentice Hunter Certified.

An apprentice MAY:

• be a resident or nonresident.

• obtain an Apprentice Hunter Certification for no more than 2 license years before they must complete a hunter safety and education course.

• participate in any youth hunt.

An apprentice is NOT ELIGIBLE to:

• obtain a special bow and arrow license without first having completed a bowhunter education course and be 12 years of age before Jan. 16 of the license year.

• obtain a resident hound training license for chasing mountain lion.

• participate in a hunting license or permit drawing with a limited quota.

• obtain any bighorn sheep, black bear, mountain lion or wolf license.

• obtain an elk license if under 15 years of age.

Violation of these terms could result in the loss of hunting privileges for up to one full license season.

A mentor MUST

• be 21 years old or older.

• if apprentice hunter is under 18 years of age, be related to the apprentice by blood, adoption, or marriage; or be the apprentice’s legal guardian, or be designated by the apprentice’s legal guardian.

• have completed hunter education–if born after Jan. 1, 1985.

• have a current Montana hunting license.

• complete a Apprentice Hunter Mentor Form.

• agree to accompany and supervise the apprentice hunter and remain within sight of and in direct voice contact with the apprentice hunter at all times while in the field.

• confirm that the apprentice hunter possesses the physical and psychological capacity to safely and ethically engage in hunting activities.

• only accompany one apprentice at a time.

A mentor MAY

• hunt when accompanying their apprentice.

Violation of these terms could result in the loss of hunting privileges for up to one full license season.

 

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